Sacramento, CA -- Cheese and pears are the ultimate taste treat. The mellow, smooth flavors of this fruit pairs well with many different cheeses from tangy bleu to mild brie to smoky Gouda. Serve a tray of selected cheese and a mix of sliced California pear varieties as a sophisticated dessert that is sure to please. Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, Seckel, Forelle and a host of red pear varieties are all produced in California and one or more are available from early July through November. Watching your calories? You still don’t have to skip the delicious pear and cheese combination. Try creating a fresh herb dip using yogurt cheese. It’s easy to make and deliciously low in calories. Seasoned with an intriguing combination of fresh herbs, pepper and allspice this dip for fresh pears makes an excellent and tasty dessert, breakfast or snack.
- 2 cups yogurt cheese (see below)
- 2 T chopped fresh tarragon
- 2 T chopped fresh chives
- 1 T chopped fresh dill
- 1 T sherry vinegar
- Freshly ground pepper
- Dash Allspice
- 6 fresh California pears, any variety, or a mix (sliced)
- Honey (optional)
Yogurt cheese recipe: Line a sieve with a coffee filter or double thickness of cheesecloth. Suspend the sieve over a deep bowl. Spoon the yogurt into the filter, cover with plastic wrap, and allow the whey to drip out. When the yogurt has the consistency of soft, velvety spreadable cheese, about 6 hours, scrape into a bowl.
Add herbs and seasonings to yogurt cheese. Stir. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Serve with sliced pears and a dollop of honey.
Nutritional Information: (Serving size=1 large pear and 5 Tablespoons Yogurt Dip) Calories-182; protein-6.83 grams; carbohydrates-39.71 grams; fat-1.02 grams; saturated fat-0.15 grams; monosaturated fat-0.22 grams; polyunsaturated fat-0.20 grams; cholesterol-2.27 mgs; sodium-58.03 mgs; fiber-5.09 grams; sugar-22.04 grams; percent calories from fat-5%.